While speculation swirls around the free agency of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, one of their Yankees teammates is not worried about those two playing somewhere else.
Nick Swisher said Wednesday he fully expects to see Jeter and Rivera next spring in Tampa when the Yankees open spring training.
“Those guys will be there, no doubt,” Swisher said. “They are two of those amazing leaders, and, in my opinion, two of the most famous Yankees of all time. These guys are going to be back. These guys are like fine wine. They just keep getting better with age. For me to have those two guys as leaders and in the locker room I could not be more fortunate.”
Asked if Jeter was still capable of playing like he did at his peak, Swisher said, “Absolutely.”
As for the other bit of big Yankees business this winter, Swisher would not say if he believes the team needs to add free agent pitcher Cliff Lee.
“I don’t know, man,” he said. “That’s not my choice. I show up to the ballpark every day and bring my lunch pail and give it all I got. That’s why those guys are the smart guys. Whatever moves they make they’ll make for the better.”
Swisher was at The Art of Shaving in Los Angeles as part of a charity event called “Movember” that raises money for cancer research. Swisher will participate in a month-long, mustache-growing contest to raise awareness and money for several cancer research charities.
“You know with the Yankees that facial hair is a no-go,” Swisher said. “The only thing that we’re allowed to have is a mustache. Mustaches might not be as cool as they used to be but here in the month of Movember, I’m definitely getting it going.”